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A value-based approach to optimizing long-term maintenance plans for a multi-asset k-out-of-N system
Devising a long-term maintenance plan for a system of large infrastructure assets is an exacting task. Any maintenance activity that induces system downtime can incur a massive production or service loss. This problem becomes increasingly challenging for a system of which the performance is based on the collective output of assets. Current approaches that optimise each asset in isolation or consider a binary performance relationship insufficiently address this issue because the negligence of performance interactions among assets results in an inaccurate cost estimation. To overcome these hurdles, we formulate a mathematical model that explicitly demonstrates dynamic risk of production loss according to the system aggregate output. Further, we propose an integrated solution method that couples a finite loop search with a Genetic Algorithm. Application of our model to a real-world case study has proved to simultaneously strike the balance between cost and risk. Validated by Monte Carlo simulation, the proposed model has shown to outperform existing approaches. By systematically scheduling maintenance actions over the planning horizon, the resultant strategy has demonstrated to offer considerable maintenance cost savings and significantly prolong the average asset life. Sensitivity analyses also evince the robustness of the proposed model under the volatility in key parameters.EPSRC (This does not appear on the submitted manuscript yet, but will be added in the final proof
Multi-objective model for optimizing railway infrastructure asset renewal
Trabalho inspirado num problema real da empresa Infraestruturas de Portugal, EP.A multi-objective model for managing railway infrastructure asset renewal is presented. The model aims to optimize three objectives, while respecting operational constraints: levelling investment throughout multiple years, minimizing total cost and minimizing work start postponements. Its output is an optimized intervention schedule. The model is based on a case study from a Portuguese infrastructure management company, which specified the objectives and constraints, and reflects management practice on railway infrastructure. The results show that investment levelling greatly influences the other objectives and that total cost fluctuations may range from insignificant to important, depending on the condition of the infrastructure. The results structure is argued to be general and suggests a practical methodology for analysing trade-offs and selecting a solution for implementation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
BIM and its impact upon project success outcomes from a Facilities Management perspective
The uptake of Building Information Modelling (BIM) has been increasing, but some of its promoted potential benefits have been slow to materialise. In particular, claims that BIM will revolutionise facilities management (FM) creating efficiencies in the whole-life of building operations have yet to be achieved on a wide scale, certainly in comparison to tangible progress made for the prior design and construction phases. To attempt to unravel the factors at play in the adoption of BIM during the operational phase, and in particular, understand if adoption by facilities managers (FMs) is lagging behind other disciplines, this study aims to understand if current BIM processes can ease the challenges in this area faced by facilities management project stakeholders. To do this, success from a facilities management viewpoint is considered and barriers to facilities management success are explored, with focused BIM use proposed as a solution to these barriers. Qualitative research was undertaken, using semi structured interviews to collect data from a non-probability sample of 7 project- and facilities- management practitioners. Key results from this study show that the main barrier to BIM adoption by facilities managers is software interoperability, with reports that facilities management systems are unable to easily import BIM data produced during the design and construction stages. Additionally, facilities managers were not treated as salient stakeholders by Project Managers, further negatively affecting facilities management project success outcomes. A µresistance to change was identified as another barrier, as facilities managers were sceptical of the ability of current BIMenabled systems promoted as being FM compatible to be able to replicate their existing Computer Aided Facility Management (CAFM) legacy software and its user required capabilities. The results of this study highlight that more work is needed to ensure that BIM benefits the end user, as there was no reported use of BIM data for dedicated facilities management purposes. Further investigation into the challenges of interoperability could add significant value to this developing research area.The uptake of Building Information Modelling (BIM) has been increasing, but some of its promoted potential benefits have been slow to materialise. In particular, claims that BIM will revolutionise facilities management (FM) creating efficiencies in the whole-life of building operations have yet to be achieved on a wide scale, certainly in comparison to tangible progress made for the prior design and construction phases. To attempt to unravel the factors at play in the adoption of BIM during the operational phase, and in particular, understand if adoption by facilities managers (FMs) is lagging behind other disciplines, this study aims to understand if current BIM processes can ease the challenges in this area faced by facilities management project stakeholders. To do this, success from a facilities management viewpoint is considered and barriers to facilities management success are explored, with focused BIM use proposed as a solution to these barriers. Qualitative research was undertaken, using semi structured interviews to collect data from a non-probability sample of 7 project- and facilities- management practitioners. Key results from this study show that the main barrier to BIM adoption by facilities managers is software interoperability, with reports that facilities management systems are unable to easily import BIM data produced during the design and construction stages. Additionally, facilities managers were not treated as salient stakeholders by Project Managers, further negatively affecting facilities management project success outcomes. A µresistance to change was identified as another barrier, as facilities managers were sceptical of the ability of current BIMenabled systems promoted as being FM compatible to be able to replicate their existing Computer Aided Facility Management (CAFM) legacy software and its user required capabilities. The results of this study highlight that more work is needed to ensure that BIM benefits the end user, as there was no reported use of BIM data for dedicated facilities management purposes. Further investigation into the challenges of interoperability could add significant value to this developing research area
An overview of the most advanced frameworks for bridge asset management
During this paper it will be discussed some important novelties related to the topic of bridge
asset management. In a first step, it will be covered the problematic of bridge assessment through the
use of Key Performance Indicators. An emphasis will be made to the outcomes from the COST Action
TU 1406 (www.tu1406.eu). Then, it will be discussed how these indicators can be used in the
management of existing bridge stock. It will be introduced the problematic of performance predictive
models and how maintainability could be integrated for the Life Cycle Cost analysis. At the end it will
be discussed the difference between the management of a single and a network of bridges, what type
of optimization models and decision-support algorithms can be used. An example is shown through the
main results from the research and development project SustIMS – Sustainable Infrastructure
Management Systems. The main objective is to show operators how the standardization of this
procedure, and how these frameworks would contribute for a more sustainable and efficient
management of their bridge stock.This article is based upon the work from COST Action TU1406, Quality specifications for roadway bridges,
standardization at a European level (BridgeSpec), supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and
Technology).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
A BIM-based PSS approach for the management of maintenance operations of building equipment
The service-centered economy has grown considerably in the last few years, shifting from product-based solutions towards service centered offerings, i.e., Product-Service System (PSS) solutions. Such an approach is also emerging in the context of building equipment, where maintenance activities play a fundamental role in facility management. In this field, Building Information Modeling (BIM) based tools are diffusely used to improve the performances of facility management. However, few studies have addressed the above issues while considering a shift from product-based approaches in favor of more advanced servitization models. The study aims at integrating BIM based approaches in a PSS context for the improvement of the management of maintenance operations of building equipment. A general framework for maintenance management has been developed, merging the implementation of the PSS components in a BIM model for the definition of maintenance management. A first application of this methodology to a real case study concerning the elevators of an existing building has shown the efficacy of the proposed approach. The study highlighted the benefits that can be achieved, especially in terms of reduced periods of equipment unavailability, reduced costs and augmented customer satisfaction, while enhancing the information exchange between the PSS actors. Hence, although further research is still needed for its validation, the proposed approach can offer practical insights for the development of promising BIM-based PSS solutions for facility management in the construction industry
Farm-level Economic Evaluation of Net Feed Efficiency in Australia’s Southern Beef Cattle Production System: A Multi-period Linear Programming Approach
Selection of beef cattle for increased net feed efficiency is a current major focus for research. At present the trait seems to be more apparent in Australia’s southern beef production system which is dominated by mixed farming enterprises. Farm-level evaluation of net feed efficiency should take account of the farming system for which it is proposed along with the dynamic nature of genetic selection. Gross margin, linear programming and multi-period linear programming approaches to evaluation of the trait at the farm-level using a representative farm are compared. Implications of the trait for researchers and beef producers are identifiedfarm-level evaluation, genetic traits, linear programming, Farm Management,
Asset management and maintenance: a smart grid perspective
This paper presents the importance, issues and challenges related to Smart Grid. It also evaluates various approaches for Smart Grid planning and operation. It discusses tools for asset management and their applicability to the next generation grid. Aging assets, uncertainty in load demand profile and renewable energy resources, and demand management create a challenge for the optimal operation and maintenance of electrical grid. This paper addresses the challenges and opportunities to improve transmission and distribution systems asset maintenance. This paper also presents the asset replacement alternatives. This paper also presents the cost-benefit analysis of asset management using the information/real time data from the utility company. This paper will serve a guide for doing the asset management to the electrification process, investment and recovery to sustain reliable and efficient power delivery
Cost Action TU1406: qualitative specifications for roadway bridges: standardization at a european level (BridgeSpec)
Durante la implementación de estrategias de gestión de
activos se requieren acciones de mantenimiento para
conservar las infraestructuras a un nivel de rendimiento
deseado. En el caso de los puentes de carretera, se
establecen indicadores de rendimiento específicos para sus
componentes que, cuando se combinan, permiten evaluar el
rendimiento general. Estos indicadores pueden ser
cualitativos o cuantitativos y pueden obtenerse durante
inspecciones principales mediante examen visual, ensayos no
destructivos o mediante sistemas de vigilancia temporales o
permanentes. A continuación, se comparan los indicadores
obtenidos con los objetivos de desempeño, para evaluar los
planes de control de calidad. En Europa existe una gran
disparidad de país a país cuanto a la forma como se
cuantifican los indicadores de rendimiento y se especifican
los objetivos. COST Action TU1406 pretende reunir, por la
primera vez, tanto las comunidades investigadoras como las
practicantes, con el fin de establecer una guía europea en
esta materia, abordando nuevos indicadores relacionados
con el desempeño sostenible y económico de los puentes
viales. La aplicación de esta norma dependerá en gran
medida de los cambios en la filosofía y los métodos
operativos (inspección, ensayos, ...) que las nuevas
especificaciones requieren en el futuro como resultado de su
aplicación. Por lo tanto, para reducir al mínimo la posible
reticencia de las agencias de gestión de carreteras a cambiar
los indicadores de rendimiento actuales y los métodos para
obtenerlos y también aprovechar los antecedentes,
conocimientos y bases de datos existentes, es obligatorio que
la nueva especificación de calidad homogeneizada sea más o
menos basada en la práctica actual.During the implementation of asset management strategies,
maintenance actions are required in order to keep
infrastructures at a desired performance level. In case of
roadway bridges, specific performance indicators are
established for their components which, when combined,
allow to evaluate the overall performance. These indicators
can be qualitative or quantitative based, and can be obtained
during principal inspections through visual examination, nondestructive
testing or by temporary or permanent monitoring
systems. Then, obtained indicators are compared with
performance goals, in order to evaluate if quality control
plans are accomplished. In Europe, there is a large disparity
from country to country regarding the way performance
indicators are quantified and goals specified. COST Action
TU1406 aims to bring together, for the first time, both
research and practicing communities in order to establish a
European guideline in this matter, addressing new indicators
related to sustainable and economic performance of roadway
bridges. The application of this standard will be highly
dependent on the changes in philosophy and operational
methods (inspection, testing, …) that new specifications
require in the future as a result of their implementation.
Therefore, to reduce to a minimum the possible reluctance of
highway managing Agencies to change the actual
performance indicators and the methods to obtain them and
also to take advantage of existing background, knowledge
and databases, it is mandatory for the new homogenized
quality specification to be more or less based on current
practice.This article is based upon the work from COST Action TU1406,
Quality specifications for roadway bridges, standardization at a
European level (BridgeSpec), supported by COST (European
Cooperation in Science and Technology).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
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